Here’s a riddle for you: what is rich, nutty, creamy, and packed with protein? Trick question– there are two answers: cheese and chickpeas. And the two taste great together. If you’re looking for a delicious vegetarian snack or meal that will leave you satiated, here are some options to try:
Salad
For a nourishing lunch packed with flavor, try this Chickpea Salad with Lemon, Parmesan and Fresh Herbs from Bon Appètit. The chickpeas provide a pillow for the bright flavors of basil and parsley, and of course our trusty friend parmesan delivers a salty, umami-filled finish.
Spread
Bloggers Elsie and Emma from A Beautiful Mess have discovered a genius way to make hummus even creamier: they blend in chèvre! The goat cheese in their recipe for Beet and Goat Cheese Hummus lends it a touch of tang that balances out the earthiness of the beets. The result? Extra fluffy hummus with nuanced flavors that just so happens to be a gorgeous shade of magenta.
Snack
It turns out that chickpeas, when baked, make the perfect craving-killing movie snack. The Clever Carrot’s recipe for Parmesan and Herb Baked Chickpeas, loaded with garlic, paprika, rosemary and cheese beats popcorn by a long shot. Plus, the dish itself is beautiful. As The Clever Carrot’s blogger writes,
Parmesan and herbs, including fresh rosemary, parsley, and basil go together like kindred spirits. I mean, wouldn’t you like to be a chickpea on that platter?! All warm and nestled in between shards of salty cheese and fragrant greenery? I would.
Photo: Bon Appètit
Amanda Minoff
Amanda graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine with a degree in English Literature and Art History. She is a reader and writer of fiction and loves cheese that tells a good story.
